Minor arrested, 63 sachets of shabu seized in buy-bust op

ILOILO CITY — A drug bust in a subdivision in Pavia, Iloilo Thursday night yielded 63 sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu”.

The operation led to the arrest of 25-year-old Melbert Dumanillo of Desamparados; 35-year old Mary Mae Avelino of Barangay Cubay and a minor, all from Jaro district. The last two reportedly served as “runners”.

In an interview, Senior Insp. Kenneth Bermejo, head of the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU), estimated the drug’s street value at PHP70,000.

The operation was conducted together with the Pavia Municipal Police at about 9:20 p.m. at the Lessandra Subdivision, Barangay Hibao-an in Pavia.

The suspects were arrested after they were caught in the act of conniving, conspiring and helping one another in selling illegal drugs to an undercover police officer.

Other than the 63 sachets of illegal drugs, recovered from their possession during a body search were the PHP2,200 buy-bust money and a digital weighing scale.

Bermejo said the suspects divulged that they sourced their supply from Missy Gregori, daughter of Remia Prevendido Gregori, Punong Barangay of Barangay Bakhaw, Mandurriao district.

He said Gregori is at large and is classified as high-value target two.

“She is the upper line and distributes (illegal drugs) in Cabatuan and Leganes (towns),” he added.
Bermejo, however, said that they cannot confirm yet if they were among the remnants of the slain drug lord, Richard Prevendido.

Gregori was among the barangay officials in Iloilo City subjected to an investigation by the Sangguniang Panlungsod back in October 2016.

She was found guilty of gross neglect of duty and grave misconduct for failing to include in their Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) report the names of her relatives listed as high-value targets of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Gregori is the sister of Richard Prevendido, one of two drug lords in Western Visayas, who was killed in a police operation last year. Her son Boni Gregori and nephew John Rey Prevendido were also prominent drug personalities.

Meanwhile, Bermejo said they are preparing the documents to file charges against the suspects for violating Republic Act No. 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Dumanillo will be charged with selling illegal drugs while Avelino and the male minor will be charged with conspiracy for serving as runners. (PNA)